City diplomacy study on the municipalities of the Southern Transdanubia region in Hungary: Focus on sister city relations

Abstract

City diplomacy is a form of subnational diplomacy based on sister city partnerships between municipalities in different countries. This paper examines municipality sistering, which represents a notable example of the new urban systems and networks that emerged in the 20th century. The research seeks to answer the question of how sister city networks have developed among the municipalities of the Southern Transdanubia region. The analysis encompasses the municipalities of Baranya, Somogy and Tolna counties and their sister city networks, amounting to a total of 656 municipalities. The research is based on the permanent population data of the Hungarian Statistical Office as of 1 January 2022 and on the database of sister city municipalities and partnerships of the Hungarian National Association of Local Authorities (TÖOSZ). The research elucidates the network of the municipalities in the Southern Transdanubia region on the global scale and in greater detail based on the agreements reached within the continent.